MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Earlier in the day, Ulyukayev was officially charged with bribery on a very large scale. Ulyukayev demanded a bribe for a positive assessment of Russian energy company Rosneft's acquisition of Bashneft company's shares, according to the Russian Investigative Committee said.
“I did not refuse to testify, I just refrained from it for now. I am determined to cooperate with the investigation as much as possible, since my reputation and my good name can be restored only once the truth in the case has been established,” Ulyukayev said in court, as quoted by a RIA Novosti correspondent.
According to the investigator's statement in court, Ulyukayev refused to admit his guilt, however, there are witnesses who confirm that he received the bribe.
Russia's Investigative Committee said early on Tuesday that Ulyukayev was caught in the act when taking a $2 million bribe for a positive appraisal that allowed Russian energy company Rosneft to buy the state's shares of Bashneft oil company.
